Symptoms and Testing for Type 2 Diabetes
Diabetes is one of the most common conditions in the United States, as one in every 10 people in this country has the disease, and of that, between 90-95% are diagnosed with type 2 diabetes.
Type 2 diabetes most often is found in adults over the age of 45, but it is becoming increasingly common in children, teens, and young adults. It’s brought on by the body becoming resistant to insulin due to a poor diet, obesity, or lack of exercise, among other causes.
The signs of type 2 diabetes can start out slow, and the earlier that the condition is detected the better. If caught in a pre-diabetic stage, measures can be taken to reverse the effects, which is not possible once someone becomes diabetic.
Centers Health Care has a look at the symptoms and testing that’s done to diagnose type 2 diabetes.
Signs and Symptoms of Type 2 Diabetes
Symptoms often come on slowly, but if you’re experiencing one or more of these, you should be checked by your primary care physician:
- Frequent urination (especially at night)
- Bouts of extreme hunger and thirst
- Blurry vision
- Losing weight without trying
- Fatigue
- Dry skin
- Slow-healing sores
- Numbness or tingling in hands and feet
Testing Options for Type 2 Diabetes
Simple blood tests can detect type 2 diabetes by a variety of methods.
An A1C test measures your average blood sugar levels over the past several months. This can account for fluctuations and is often an accurate indicator.
Fasting plasma glucose (FPG) is a fasting test that’s done when you haven’t had anything to eat or drink (except water) in eight hours. On the other end of the spectrum, an oral glucose tolerance test is conducted after you’re given a sweet drink. It then measures how well your body processes sugar.
All tests are non-invasive and can increase your quality of life if caught early, so if you’re experiencing any symptoms listed above, don’t hesitate to be tested.
